So as I ended up going off on a tangent in the other topic, decided I might as well start a topic here.

I work for one of the largest motor insurance companies in the UK, and with the obvious boundaries of data protection and company secrets, am happy to answer any questions anyone might have regarding insurance, underwriting etc.

Can't say I will be able to answer every question, but I'm willing to help. Any questions about insurance, claims, reputations of various insurers, throw them at me, I will give it a shot

Quick Q&A's (reoccurring questions)

Q. I have X Y Z factory fitted extras, should I tell me insurer?
A. I certainly would - More you tell your insurer, the better and more hassle free any claim should go.

Why does my insurance premium go up on go compare by 2000 quid just for having a front splitter added to the car and an induction kit that adds almost no performance what so ever? Ha. I find the prices so rediculous that i havent declared my mods. So in the event of a crash theyd most likely not want ti pay up. Why is this? The mods are worth no more that 300 quid i could easily pay for the repair myself.

Im only 20 so my insurance is very high for my s1600 just dont understand why a bit of fiberglass can justify a 2000 quid premium increase lol. Any recomendations on insurane companies that insure modufied cars for around the same price as the original car. I understand the induction kit maybe adding a bit to the price (even tho it diesnt do much bit give me a nice sound) but the splitters are purely cosmetic and i have plans to tint windows and re spray the interior trim. Do things like spraying the interior even have to be declared? Thanks again.

And despite my mods im a very careful driver. May look to the eye because the way my car looks im a speed demon and drive like an idiot but i cant stand people speeding and driving like tools lol. Questions/rant over haha.

You're right in saying that its loaded due to the increased risk to thefts and vandalism. Also means if you smash it up, it will cost more to put right due to custom parts etc. It also brings in some problems with availability.

You need to have them declared for the same reason tbh - It might be factory fitted alloys, but its still more attractive than a fiesta with hubcaps! As far as I am aware, the loading for factory fitted mods is nominal compared to aftermarket fittings

With regards to tints, Some places may refuse to insure you on them. I'm pretty sure we do actually.

You'll find that a lot of the reason the increase in premium is so big, is that they're trying to deter you from insuring. By law, we cannot refuse to insure you, however we CAN charge whatever we want, that is basically our way of saying "you're too much of a risk, go away".

You're right in saying that its loaded due to the increased risk to thefts and vandalism. Also means if you smash it up, it will cost more to put right due to custom parts etc. It also brings in some problems with availability.

You need to have them declared for the same reason tbh - It might be factory fitted alloys, but its still more attractive than a fiesta with hubcaps! As far as I am aware, the loading for factory fitted mods is nominal compared to aftermarket fittings

This declaring of factory fitted options is a bit of a semi myth from what I've read although I am aware that direct line and one or two others insist you tell them. I have never been asked the question by my insurer and have never known anybody have problems with this when it comes to paying out. The trim level of my car eg Zetec S has always shown up on file for the cars I have insured, so surely the desirabilty amongst the 50 million other variables is already likely to be factored in?

Someone made a good point in a thread on here last year that if Mrs X is not going to know what is a factory fitted extra and what is standard when she buys a second hand car.....

Also insurers don't know that what type of driver you are just because you don't have points and previous crashes doesn't mean you're a good driver.

Age never helps and when you drive round in a 1.6 or higher under the age of 25 we're all painted with the same brush "a risk" in Moses case it's a limited edition car as well which makes it again a higher risk and in the case of an accident harder to repair.

Like its been previously said to modifications make a car more desirable to a thief or vandal, like the age old saying GTI - guaranteed theft item. Hence why insurance is always so high on them.

I've seen many cases where friends haven't had their modifications declared and insurers won't pay out, it's left them screwed.

If you were Mr Direct Line and jo blogs crashed his heavily modified undeclared car and you have to pay out £8000 you'd do anything to keep hold of your money, they'd just say that was the cause of the crash/theft etc.

I'm still shocked at a quote I had off of direct line for window tints. An extra £500 per year!!! And £250 more excess!! When I already pay £900 a year! They simply said you're too young and the car is already a high risk.

Also insurers don't know that what type of driver you are just because you don't have points and previous crashes doesn't mean you're a good driver.

Age never helps and when you drive round in a 1.6 or higher under the age of 25 we're all painted with the same brush "a risk" in Moses case it's a limited edition car as well which makes it again a higher risk and in the case of an accident harder to repair.

Like its been previously said to modifications make a car more desirable to a thief or vandal, like the age old saying GTI - guaranteed theft item. Hence why insurance is always so high on them.

I've seen many cases where friends haven't had their modifications declared and insurers won't pay out, it's left them screwed.

If you were Mr Direct Line and jo blogs crashed his heavily modified undeclared car and you have to pay out &pound;8000 you'd do anything to keep hold of your money, they'd just say that was the cause of the crash/theft etc.

I'm still shocked at a quote I had off of direct line for window tints. An extra &pound;500 per year!!! And &pound;250 more excess!! When I already pay &pound;900 a year! They simply said you're too young and the car is already a high risk.

Admiral tend to be the most reasonable with mods

I pay over 2k insurance for mine without mods declaired haha. Lucky to have a well payed job i guess